Successful hospitals require bright leadership and clinical excellence, and physician executives provide the valuable skill sets to meet both of these needs. Becker’s says the executives on its list have crossed the gap between clinical and management sectors, providing an important perspective on some of the greatest challenges facing health care today.

“Whether as CEO, president, CMO or another role, the physicians on the list use their clinical experience to inform their decisions as they lead their hospitals and health systems to high quality, cost-effective care,” Becker’s said in its news release about the list.

Paz is board certified in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine, with a special interest in patients with sarcoidosis. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from the University of Rochester, a master of science in life science engineering from Tufts University, and his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Following his internship and residency at Northwestern University, where he served as chief medical resident and instructor in clinical medicine, Paz was a fellow in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical School, where he was a Eudowood Fellow.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Academic Health Centers, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the University Health System Consortium. He is also chair-elect of the AAMC Council of Deans Administrative Board and has served on the AAMC Executive Council. Paz has held the top position at Penn State Hershey since April 2006.

Physician leaders were selected for inclusion on the Becker’s list based on their health care experience, awards they've received and their commitment to quality care. Many of the leaders were nominated by their peers, and the list was vetted by industry experts. Hospital and health system leaders do not pay and cannot pay to be included on this list.